Jet regulator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a jet regulator ( 1 ) having a jet fractionating device inside a mounting housing ( 6 ). The jet regulator ( 1 ) according to the present invention is characterized in that the mounting housing ( 6 ) is divided into at least two housing parts ( 7, 8 ), and that the housing parts ( 7, 8 ) can be connected to one another, and that a housing part ( 7 ) at the flow inlet side is connected fixedly and non-releasably with the jet fractionating device ( 2 ). The jet regulator ( 1 ) according to the present invention is distinguished by a high degree of shape stability and by manufacturing costs that are nonetheless low, even for small housing diameters (see FIG.  1 ).

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a jet regulator having a mounting casethat is divided into at least two case parts that can be connected toone another. A jet regulator of the above-noted type is known forexample from DE 30 00 799 A1. The known jet regulator, which can forexample be built into the outflow mouth of a sanitary outflow armature,has in the interior of its mounting housing a jet fractionating device,formed as a perforated plate, that divides the inflowing jet of waterinto a multiple of individual jets. In a jet regulating device, theseindividual jets are formed (after an admixture of air if necessary) intoa homogenous, soft-beading, non-spraying water jet.

In the known jet regulator, the perforated plate that acts as a jetfractionating device is formed as a separate plastic part that can beplaced into the mounting housing of the jet regulator from the flowinlet side. In order to enable good fractionation of the inflowing jetof water into the individual jets in the perforated plate, it isdesirable that the axial longitudinal extension of the flow holes in theperforated plate be relatively short, thus resulting in acorrespondingly small thickness of the perforated plate. However,because the perforated plate, whose plane is oriented transverse to thedirection of flow, can be exposed to high water pressures, and becausethe perforated plate, which is made of plastic, tends to exhibitundesirable deformations that negatively affect its functioning,especially at high water temperatures and if the plate thickness is toosmall, a certain minimum thickness of the perforated plate isnonetheless required.

From DE-U-200 06 163, a jet regulator of the above-noted type is knownwhose mounting housing is divided into two housing parts that can beconnected to one another. Inside the housing of the known jet regulator,there is provided a flow rectifier, a homogenizing device beingconnected downstream in the direction of flow from this flow rectifier.While the flow rectifier directs the individual jets flowing in the linecross-section in approximately the same direction of flow, theseindividual jets flowing in the same direction are subsequently combinedin the homogenizing device to form a homogenous, soft-beading,non-spraying water jet. Here, the flow rectifier, which is comparativelylarge and has significantly larger flow openings in comparison with thesubsequent homogenizing device, is connected fixedly and non-releasablywith the case part at the flow inlet side of the mounting case.

Because a flow rectifier for the regular orienting of the individualjets must also have a comparatively large axial longitudinal extension,and thus a correspondingly large plate thickness, the plate-shaped flowrectifier, which is provided with through-holes, of the jet regulatorknown from DE-U-200 06 163 is sufficiently stable to withstand highwater pressures on its own. Because the jet regulator known fromDE-U-200 06 163 does not have a jet fractionating device, in this knownprior art the problems stated above in relation to DE 30 00 799 A1 donot arise here.

The object therefore arises of creating a jet regulator of the typenamed above, having a jet fractionating device, said jet regulator beingdistinguished by a high degree of stability in its shape, even at smallhousing diameters, while nonetheless being inexpensive to manufacture.

In the jet regulator of the type named above, the solution according tothe present invention of this problem is to be found in the featuresrecited in patent claim 1.

The jet regulator according to the present invention comprises a jetfractionating device, to which there is connected downstream, at theflow outlet side, a jet regulating device and/or a flow rectifier. Sothat this jet fractionating device can divide the inflowing water jetinto a multiplicity of individual jets, the flow holes of the jetfractionating device have a smaller inner diameter in comparison withthe flow openings of the jet regulating device, or of the jet rectifier.In contrast to the prior art known from DE 30 00 799 A1, which, unlikethe jet regulator known from DE-U-200 06 163, likewise has a jetfractionating device, the jet fractionating device of the jet regulatoraccording to the present invention is connected fixedly andnon-detachably with a case part at the flow inlet side. Because asensitive jet fractionating device, for example a thin perforated plate,is also connected at its peripheral edge with the case part in a secure,fixed, and protected manner, no significant deformation of the jetfractionating device, negatively affecting its functioning, is to beexpected, even at hot water temperatures and high water pressures.Because the jet fractionating device of the jet regulator according tothe present invention is held fixedly and non-detachably on the innercase wall, and because an annular flange is no longer required there asa support for the jet fractionating device, the jet regulator accordingto the present invention can be constructed with a comparatively smallcase diameter even for high flow rates; in the prior art known from DE30 00 799 A1, this was possible only in jet regulators having low flowrates. Due to the jet fractionating device, connected fixedly with themounting housing, the mounting housing experiences a radial stiffeningthat also makes the sleeve-shaped mounting housing more stable andresistant to breakage overall. While in known jet regulators, in which aseparate perforated plate was mounted in the external housing as a jetfractionating device, sealing problems constantly arose between theperforated plate and the sleeve-shaped external housing, the jetregulator according to the present invention offers the essentialadvantage that these sealing problems do not arise, due to the fact thatthe jet fractionating device and the housing part at the flow inlet sideare constructed in one piece. Because the mounting housing is made of atleast two housing parts that can be connected to one another, it isnonetheless possible as needed to place a jet regulating device,connected downstream from the perforated plate in the direction of flow,and additional required functional units as needed, into the mountinghousing. The jet regulator according to the present invention istherefore distinguished by a high degree of shape stability while at thesame time having a low manufacturing cost.

In order to make it possible to construct the jet regulator according tothe present invention in modular form if necessary, and in order to beable to exchange the functional units situated in at least one of itshousing parts as needed, it can be advantageous if at least two housingparts can be connected to one another in releasable fashion.

As a jet fractionating device, any suitable design can be used thatdivides the jet of water flowing into the jet regulator into amultiplicity of individual jets. In this way, the jet fractionatingdevice can for example also be realized as a baffle plate. In apreferred specific embodiment according to the present invention,however, it is provided that the jet fractionating device is formed as aperforated plate.

Insofar as a strong or less strong braking of the flow of water in thejet regulator according to the present invention is desired, it ispossible to adapt the jet regulator by exchanging the jet regulatingdevice as well as the functional units connected downstream therefrom. Apreferred specific embodiment of the present invention thereforeprovides that at least two jet regulating devices that can optionally beplaced into the mounting housing are allocated to the mounting housing,which is made up of at least two housing parts that can be connected toone another.

The housing part at the flow inlet side of the jet regulator accordingto the present invention can be manufactured at low expense as aone-piece plastic injection-molded part, if the jet fractionating deviceis connected in one piece with the housing part allocated thereto.

The expense associated with the manufacture of the jet regulatoraccording to the present invention is further reduced if the mountinghousing has two adjacent housing parts that can be connected to oneanother in a dividing plane oriented transverse to the inflow direction.

It is possible for at least two housing parts of the jet regulatoraccording to the present invention to be connected with one another forexample by gluing or welding.

However, the housing parts of the jet regulator according to the presentinvention can be connected to one another in a particularly simple andconvenient fashion if the housing parts of the mounting housing can belocked with one another in releasable fashion.

A preferred specific embodiment of the present invention provides that ahousing part at the flow outlet side is constructed in the form of asleeve, and that at least one insert part of the jet regulating deviceor a functional unit of this sort can be placed into this housing part.Here, it is advantageous if the at least one insert part can be placedinto the housing part allocated to the functional unit from the flowinlet side of this housing part, up to an insert stop or a support.

In order to make it possible to easily adapt the jet regulator accordingto the present invention to a wide range of requirements, while usingthe same mounting housing, a plurality of jet regulating devices thatcan optionally be placed into the mounting housing can be allocated tothis mounting housing. In addition, or instead of this, it is possiblefor the jet regulating device of the jet regulator to have a modularconstruction, and for a plurality of insert parts that can optionally becombined with one another to be allocated to this jet regulating device.

In a specific embodiment, warranting separate protection, of the jetregulator according to the present invention, it is provided that thejet regulating device comprises at least one insert part that can beplaced into the mounting housing and that has webs that are orientedtransverse to the direction of flow and that delimit between themthrough-openings, and that the webs of at least one insert part aredisposed in the fashion of a grid or net, intersecting at intersectnodes.

In the interior of its mounting housing, this jet regulator has a jetregulating device that has at least one insert part that can be placedinto the mounting housing. This at least one insert part has webs thatare situated in a plane oriented transverse to the direction of flow,with the webs being disposed in the manner of a grid or net,intersecting at intersect nodes. Due to this grid- or net-typestructure, the at least one insert part can comprise a large number ofwebs even on a comparatively small cross-sectional surface, whichseparate the incoming jet of water into a multiplicity of individualjets. Thus, an effective mixing and jet regulation can be achieved evenwith high flow rates on a comparatively small cross-sectional surface.Even given a large number of webs, these webs can be disposed in thefashion of a grid or net in such a way that the through-openings arenonetheless sufficiently large to allow dirt particles carried along inthe stream to pass.

A preferred specific embodiment according to the present inventionprovides that the at least one insert part of the jet regulating deviceis situated relative to the jet fractionating device in such a way thatthe individual jets produced in the jet fractionating device impinge onintersect nodes of the at least one insert part.

In order to additionally increase the effectiveness of the dividing ofthe individual jets, and in order to additionally improve the jetregulating properties even for the smallest cross-sectional surface, itis advantageous if at least two adjacent insert parts are provided thathave webs that are disposed in the manner of a grid or net. In thisspecific embodiment, the jet regulating device comprises at least twoinsert parts having webs that intersect at intersect nodes in, forexample, the manner of a grid. At these intersect nodes, each individualjet of water is again effectively divided into a plurality of individualjets in such a way that an effective mixing and jet regulation can beachieved even at high flow rates and with a comparatively smallcross-sectional surface of the inventive jet regulator.

A specific embodiment of the present invention thereby provides that thewebs and intersect nodes of the at least two adjacent insert parts alignwith one another. A particular advantage of such a specific embodimentis that at least two insert parts can be identical in construction.

In another specific embodiment that represents a further development ofthe present invention, distinguished by an especially effective divisionof the water jets in the smallest space, it is provided that theintersect nodes of an adjacent insert part are connected downstream inthe direction of flow from the through-openings of the insert part towhich it is adjacent.

A simple specific embodiment according to the present invention that canbe manufactured at low cost provides that at least one insert part,situated at the flow inlet and/or flow outlet side, has a grid-typeconstruction, and comprises two intersecting sets of parallel grid webs.In addition, or instead of this, an insert part at the flow inlet and/orflow outlet side can have a set of radial webs that intersect at theintersect nodes with a set of webs that are arranged concentrically orin annular fashion. According to a further proposal of the presentinvention, it is provided that an insert part at the flow inlet sideand/or an insert part at the flow outlet side has webs that intersect instelliform fashion, or in the manner of a net.

However, it is also possible that the webs of at least one insert partform a honeycomb-shaped grid structure.

A construction of the jet regulator according to the present inventionthat saves space in the axial direction as well is favored if the websof at least one insert part are situated in a plane that is preferablyoriented transverse to the direction of flow, and if in particular theinsert parts have a plate-shaped design. In order to unite, at the flowoutlet side, the individual jets produced in the jet regulating deviceto form a homogenous non-spraying overall jet, it is advantageous forthe width of the through-openings of the flow rectifier to be smallerthan their length in the direction of flow. Here it is particularlyuseful for the flow rectifier to be situated at the exit end of themounting case.

The flow rectifier can be connected in one piece with the mountinghousing, or can be placed into the mounting housing as a separate insertpart. While a jet regulator that can be placed into the mounting housingas a separate insert part further supports the modular design of the jetregulator according to the present invention, a flow rectifier connectedin one piece with the mounting housing can also act as a guard againstvandalism of the jet regulator at the flow outlet side.

The flow rectifier of the jet regulator according to the presentinvention can also be adapted in its construction to the particularhousing of application and the purpose of use. Thus, it can for examplebe provided that the flow rectifier has through-openings that arerectangular, shaped as segments of a circle, or honeycomb-shaped.

However, it is also possible for the flow rectifier and/or the jetregulating device to comprise at least one metal sieve.

The effectiveness of the jet regulating device used is further increasedif the intersect nodes of an insert part of the jet regulating devicethat immediately follows the perforated plate are connected downstreamfrom the through-holes of the perforated plate.

A preferred specific embodiment according to the present inventionprovides that the housing part at the outflow side has a soft and/orwater-repellent surface at least in the area of the water exit opening.The advantage of this specific embodiment consists in the freedom fromcalcification in the area of its water exit opening. In addition, a softsurface is easy to clean, in particular by manual stripping off ofdeposits that may accumulate.

For the same reasons, it can be advantageous if, in addition to orinstead of the measure just described, the housing part at the outflowside is manufactured from an elastic material, at least in the area ofthe water exit opening. Here, rubber, silicon, thermoplastic elastomers,or other rubber-like materials are preferably to be used.

In order to promote simple manufacture of the jet regulator according tothe present invention even in the area of its housing part at theoutflow side, it is advantageous if the housing part at the outflow sideis made essentially of an elastic material and/or a material having asurface that is soft or that repels water.

So that a housing part made from a rubber-like material is inherentlysufficiently stable, and can also be fastened to the adjacent housingpart by, for example, a locking connection, it is advantageous if thehousing part at the outflow side is reinforced by longitudinal webs thatare preferably distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction.

A preferred specific embodiment according to the present inventionthereby provides that the longitudinal webs are provided at least in thearea of the exit opening.

A particularly advantageous development according to the presentinvention, warranting separate protection, provides that the housingpart at the outflow side comprises, in the area of the water exitopening, at least one constriction or similar narrowing of its flowcross-section. This constriction or similar narrowing of the flowcross-section has a calibrating effect on the outflowing jet of waterand its flow pattern. The narrowing of the flow cross-section isprovided in the area of the water exit opening, and thus in an area thatis connected downstream from possible disturbing contours in thedirection of flow. The calibration of the water jet significantlypromotes a homogenous, non-spraying, and low-noise flow pattern.

In order to further simplify the manufacture of the jet regulatoraccording to the present invention, it is advantageous if the housingpart at the outflow side can be connected with the housing part that isadjacent at the flow inlet side, preferably via a locking connection, inparticular a peripheral one.

Additional features of the present invention result from the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, inconnection with the claims and the drawing. The individual features canbe realized individually or in combination in a specific embodiment ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sanitary fitting, constructed as a jet regulator, in alongitudinal section, comprising a jet fractionating device at the flowinlet side, to which a jet regulating device is connected downstream inthe direction of flow that has a plurality of insert parts situated at adistance from one another, and a flow rectifier forms the end of thisjet regulator at the flow outlet side,

FIG. 2 shows an insert part of the jet regulating device in a top view(FIG. 2 a) and in a longitudinal section (FIG. 2 b), the insert parthaving webs that intersect at intersect nodes in the manner of a grid,

FIG. 3 shows an insert part comparable to that shown in FIG. 2, in a topview (FIG. 3 a) and in a longitudinal section (FIG. 3 b),

FIG. 4 shows the insert parts, combined with one another to form the jetregulating device, from FIGS. 2 and 3, in a top view,

FIG. 5 shows an insert part, in a top view (FIG. 5 a) and in alongitudinal section (FIG. 5 b), having two groups of webs thatintersect at intersect nodes, one group having nodes that are disposedconcentrically, while a second group is made up of radial webs,

FIG. 6 shows an insert part in a top view (FIG. 6 a) and in alongitudinal section (FIG. 6 b), having webs that are connected with oneanother at intersect nodes in the manner of a net,

FIG. 7 shows an insert part comparable to the one shown in FIG. 5, in atop view (FIG. 7 a) and in longitudinal section (FIG. 7 b),

FIG. 8 shows the insert parts, combined to form the jet regulatingdevice, from FIGS. 5 and 7, in a top view,

FIG. 9 shows a flow rectifier that can be placed into the housing of thefitting, having honeycomb-shaped flow openings, in a top view (FIG. 9 a)and in longitudinal section (FIG. 9 b),

FIG. 10 shows a flow rectifier that is functionally comparable to theone shown in FIG. 9, in a top view (FIG. 10 a) and in longitudinalsection (FIG. 10 b), the flow rectifier having flow openings in theshape of segments of a circle,

FIG. 11 shows, in a top view (FIG. 11 a) and in longitudinal section(FIG. 11 b), a sieve-type insert whose webs are formed by a metal sieve,this insert being capable of being placed in the mounting housing inaddition to, or instead of, the insert parts shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6,and 7, and/or in addition to or instead of the flow rectifier shown inFIGS. 9 and 10,

FIG. 12 shows an insert that is functionally comparable to the one shownin FIG. 11, in a top view (FIG. 12 a) and in longitudinal section (FIG.12 b); here, similar to FIG. 11, the insert also has a metal sieveoriented transverse to the direction of flow,

FIG. 13 shows two insert parts, having identical construction, of a jetregulating device, in a top view; the webs and intersect nodes of theseadjacent insert parts align with one another,

FIG. 14 shows, in partial longitudinal section, a jet regulator thatdoes without a jet regulating device in the interior of its housing,

FIG. 15 shows, in partial longitudinal section, a jet regulator situatedin an outflow mouth, whose lower sleeve-type housing part is made of anelastic material, and

FIG. 16 shows a jet regulator similar to that shown in FIG. 1, whose jetfractionating device is here realized as a baffle plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a sanitary fitting that can be placed into the outflowmouth of a sanitary outflow armature. The insert part is here formed asjet regulator 1, which is used to produce a homogenous, soft-beading,non-spraying jet of water. For this purpose, jet regulator 1 has a jetfractionating device 2 that is fashioned as a perforated plate and thatdivides the inflowing jet of water into a multiplicity of individualjets. For this purpose, perforated plate 2 has a corresponding number offlow holes 3 that, at least in a section of the holes at the flow inletside, are tapered in the direction of flow, preferably conically. Sothat dirt particles cannot penetrate into fitting 1 and cause functionaldisturbances there, a sieve attachment 17 is provided at the flow inletside.

A jet regulating device 4 is connected downstream, in the direction offlow, from the jet fractionating device formed by perforated plate 2.This jet regulating device 4 is intended to strongly brake theindividual jets coming from jet fractionating device 2, to divide theminto further individual jets, and, if required, to promote an admixtureof air, in order finally to achieve a soft-beading water jet. For thispurpose, jet regulating device 4 comprises two insert parts 5 a, 5 b,which can be placed into the case housing 6 at a distance from oneanother.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the case housing 6 has a two-partconstruction, and has two housing parts 7, 8 that can be snap-fittogether in releasable fashion. Here, housing part 7 at the flow inletside is connected in one piece, and therefore in fixed andnon-releasable fashion, with perforated plate 2. These housing parts 7,8 are connected with one another in releasable fashion in a dividingplane oriented transverse to the inflow direction. Because acomparatively thin perforated plate 2 is also connected securely andfixedly with housing part 7 at its peripheral edge, no significantdeformation of perforated plate 2, having an adverse effect onfunctioning, is to be expected, even at hot water temperatures and highwater pressures. Because perforated plate 2 is held fixedly andnon-detachably on the housing inner wall, and because an annular flangeis not required there as a support for the perforated plate, the jetregulator 1 can be formed with a comparatively small housing diameter,even for high flow rates, at high pressures and high temperatures; inthe known prior art, this was possible only in jet regulators having lowflow rates, at low pressures and low temperatures. Due to perforatedplate 2, which is connected fixedly with mounting housing 6, mountinghousing 6 experiences a radial stiffening that makes sleeve-typemounting housing 6 more resistant to breakage and more stable in shapeoverall. Because the mounting housing is made of at least two housingparts 7, 8 that can be connected with one another in releasable fashion,jet regulating device 4, which is connected downstream from perforatedplate 2 in the direction of flow, can nonetheless be placed into thehousing 6, as can additional functional units, if required. Jetregulator 1 is therefore distinguished by a high degree of shapestability, while simultaneously having a low manufacturing cost. Becausejet regulator 1 can be constructed with a comparatively small housingdiameter even for high flow rates, at high pressure and high temperatureit is also possible to use the same mounting housing 6 for differentflow classes. To the extent that different flow rates require acorresponding adaptation of jet regulator 1, this can be achieved byexchanging the jet regulating devices connected downstream fromperforated plate 2, and similar functional units.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the housing part 8 at the flow outletside is constructed in the manner of a sleeve, and that insert parts 5a, 5 b of jet regulating device 4 can be placed into this housing part 8up to an insertion stop 9. From a comparison of FIGS. 2 to 8, and inparticular from FIGS. 4 and 7, it is clear that insert parts 5 a, 5 beach have webs 11 that intersect at intersect nodes 10, the intersectnodes 10 of adjacent insert part 5 b being situated downstream in thedirection of flow from the through-openings 12 of one of these insertparts, while at the same time intersect nodes 10 of adjacent insert part5 a at the flow inlet side are situated upstream in the direction offlow from through-openings 12 of insert part 5 b at the flow outletside.

The water jet, flowing in against insert part 1 fashioned as a jetregulator, is divided into a plurality of individual jets at eachintersect node 10 of insert part 5 a at the flow inlet side. Atintersect nodes 10 of downstream (in the direction of flow) insert part5 b, these individual jets are again divided into a multiplicity offurther individual jets. Jet regulating device 4 of jet regulator 1,whose intersect nodes 10 of its insert parts 5 a, 5 b are disposed incascading fashion, is distinguished by a particularly effective brakingof the inflowing water jet, even with the smallest cross-sectionalsurface.

Jet regulating device 4 of jet regulator 1 (shown here) has a modularconstruction. A plurality of insert parts 5 that can optionally becombined with one another are allocated to jet regulating device 4.Thus, insert parts 5 a and 5 b shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprisegrid-shaped webs 11. The grid structures of these insert parts 5 a, 5 bare offset to one another by approximately 45°, and insert part 5 b,shown in FIG. 3, has a smaller grid spacing in comparison with insertpart 5 a from FIG. 2. A correct positioning of insert parts 5 inrelation to one another in mounting housing 6 is ensured at all times byposition-orienting projections or recesses 13 on the outer peripheraledge of insert parts 5 a, 5 b, working together with position-orientingrecesses or projections on the housing inner periphery of the housingpart 8.

While flow inlet-side insert part 5 c, shown in FIG. 5, comprises a setof radial webs 11′ that intersect at the intersect nodes with a set ofconcentric annular webs 11″, flow outlet-side insert part 5 d, shown inFIG. 6, has stelliform or net-shaped intersecting webs 11. The webs 11of each plate-shaped insert part 5 are situated in a plane that isoriented transverse to the direction of flow.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that a flow rectifier 14 is connecteddownstream from jet regulating device 4 at the exit end of mountinghousing 6. From a comparison of FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that thisflow rectifier 14, in which the width of through-openings 15 is smallerthan their length in the direction of flow, can have through-openings 15that are for example honeycomb-shaped (FIG. 9) or shaped as segments ofa circle (FIG. 10).

FIGS. 11 and 12 show inserts acting here as flow rectifiers, comprisinga grid-shaped metal sieve.

FIG. 13 shows that jet regulating device 4 can also have two adjacentinsert parts 5 a, 5 b whose webs 11 and intersect nodes 10 align withone another. Here, it is clear from FIG. 13 that insert parts 5 a, 5 bof such a jet regulating device 4 can also be formed with identicalconstruction, further reducing manufacturing costs. As in FIGS. 4 and 8,in FIG. 13 circles printed in bold indicate that the flow openings ofperforated plate 2 align with the intersect nodes 10 of at least oneinsert part that is connected downstream in the direction of flow. Thecircles printed in bold in FIG. 13 illustrate the impingement points ofthe individual jets coming from jet fractionating device 2 on intersectnodes 10 of insert part 5 a.

From FIG. 14, it can be seen that, if necessary, jet regulator 1 canalso be used without a jet regulating device situated downstream fromjet fractionating device 2. Here, jet fractionating device 2 of jetregulator 1, shown in FIG. 14, is not realized as a perforated plate,but rather has a central baffle plate 18 having radially oriented flowopenings 19 on its edge. These radially oriented flow openings 19 aredirected towards a peripheral wall 20 that is constructed so as to beopen towards the flow outlet side, and that surrounds baffle plate 18 ata distance. While first housing part 7 is connected to jet fractionatingdevice 2, in second housing part 8, at the flow outlet end thereof, onlyone honeycomb-shaped flow rectifier 14 is provided, which can be placedinto housing part 8 from the flow inlet side up to a support situated onthe edge.

FIG. 15 shows a jet regulator 1 situated in an outflow mouth 21, whosesleeve-type external housing is made of the two housing parts 7, 8 thatcan be locked with one another in releasable fashion. Here, the housingpart 7 at the flow inlet side is connected in one piece, and thus bothfixedly and non-releasably, with perforated plate 2. While the flowinlet-side housing part 7 is made of a comparatively solid plasticmaterial, the flow outlet-side housing part 8 is made of an elasticmaterial, and has a soft, water-repellent surface. Because the housingpart 8 thus also has a water-repellent surface in the area of its waterexit opening, and thus in the area of flow rectifier 14 that is providedthere, the jet regulator shown in FIG. 15 is distinguished by thefreedom from calcification of flow outlet-side flow rectifier 14.Because the flow outlet-side housing part 8 is made of rubber, silicon,or a thermoplastic elastomer, and thus has an elastic, soft surface,calcifications or dirt particles that have deposited on the flowrectifier 14 can be easily removed manually. In order to furtherfacilitate the manual cleaning of jet regulator 1, it can beadvantageous if a partial area of jet regulator 1 at the outflow sideextends at least slightly past outflow mouth 21.

As can be seen from FIG. 15, housing part 7 at the flow inlet side andoutflow-side housing part 8 are held to one another in releasablefashion by a locking connection. This is shown in FIG. 1 where housingpart 7 comprises a circumferential rib 30 and locks to housing part 8via a mating circumferential groove. In order to prevent the possibilityof withdrawing outflow-side housing part 8 axially from flow inlet-sidehousing part 7, the support shoulders on which both housing parts 7, 8rest are formed such that they can accept sufficiently large forces. Inaddition, the outflow-side housing part 8 is stiffened by radiallongitudinal webs 22 that are distributed uniformly in thecircumferential direction in the area of the flow rectifier 14 and thusin the area of the exit opening. Longitudinal webs 22 provided on therubber-like housing part 8, which lie very closely against the innercontour of the outflow mouth 21, prevent the rubber-like housing part 8from expanding and thus from being withdrawn from the housing part 7. Inany housing, the axial forces on the elastic housing part 8 arising dueto water pressure are comparatively low, because the water pressure onthe perforated plate that acts as the jet fractionating device 2 in thehousing part 7 is already almost completely dismantled.

In FIG. 15, it can be seen that the outflow-side housing part 8 has aconstriction 23 in the area of the water exit opening, effecting anarrowing of the flow cross-section. This narrowing of the flowcross-section achieves a calibration of the outflowing water jet and ahomogenization of the jet pattern. The constriction 23 is provided inthe area of the water exit opening, and thus in an area situateddownstream, in the direction of flow, from possible disturbing contours.The calibration of the water jet significantly promotes a homogenous,non-spraying jet pattern.

FIG. 16 shows a jet regulator 1 comparable to that shown in FIG. 1.While the jet regulator shown in FIG. 1 has a perforated plate as thejet fractionating device 2, the jet fractionating device 2 of the jetregulator shown in FIG. 16 is formed as a baffle plate. The use of a jetfractionating device formed as a baffle plate is advantageous if thenoise connected therewith can be disregarded in view of a particularlyeffective braking of the inflowing jet of liquid. From the partiallongitudinal section in FIG. 16, it can be seen that the incoming jet ofliquid impinges on a plate surface 26 situated transverse to the inflowdirection, or the jet regulator longitudinal axis. The jet of liquidflows from this plate surface 26 in the radial direction to flowopenings 27 that are provided on the peripheral wall surrounding platesurface 26. The jet of liquid, divided into individual jets in the flowopenings 27, can subsequently flow to the jet regulating device 4 and/orto the flow rectifier 14, which are situated downstream in the directionof flow from the jet fractionating device 2.

The jet regulator shown in FIG. 16 likewise comprises a mounting housing6 that is divided into two housing parts 7, 8 that can be connected withone another in releasable fashion. While the housing part 7 at the flowinlet side is connected fixedly and non-releasably with the jetfractionating device 2, which is formed as a baffle plate, two insertparts, both having honeycomb-shaped flow openings, are placed into thesleeve-shaped flow outlet-side housing part 8. While the flow inlet-sideinsert part 5, which is comparatively thin and is provided with smallflow openings, acts as a jet regulating device, the flow outlet-sideinsert part, which is thicker and is provided with large flow openings,forms a flow rectifier that combines the individual jets to form ahomogenous overall jet. The flow outlet-side insert part that forms theflow rectifier is adjacent to a radial peripheral edge 28 of the housingpart 8, while the flow inlet-side insert part 5 is supported on the flowoutlet-side insert part with a central spacing element 29.

1. Jet regulator (1), having a flow inlet side and a flow outlet sideand comprising a mounting housing (6), divided into first and secondhousing parts (7, 8), and the first and second housing parts (7, 8),which are releasably connectable via a snap-fit connection with oneanother, a jet fractionating device (2), having through flow holes (3),located inside the mounting housing (6), the first housing part (7),having a peripheral shoulder at the flow inlet side, is connectedfixedly and non-detachably with the jet fractionating device (2), a jetregulating device (4), having at least one insert part (5) that isinsertable into the mounting housing (6), and the at least one insertpart (5) has webs (11) that are oriented transverse to a flow directionand that delimit between them through flow openings (12), the webs (11)of the at least one insert part (5) are disposed in the manner of a gridor a net, intersecting at intersect nodes (10), the jet regulatingdevice (4) and a flow rectifier (14), having flow guide walls definingexit openings arranged in a plane, are arranged, downstream from the jetfractionating device (2), at the flow outlet side.
 2. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second housing parts areconnectable to one another in releasable fashion.
 3. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the jet fractionating device is formed asa perforated plate (2).
 4. Jet regulator according to claim 1, whereinthe jet regulator (1) comprises at least two of the jet regulatingdevices (4) that are receivable within the mounting housing (6), whichis made of the first and second housing parts (7, 8), and the first andsecond housing parts are connectable to one another in releasablefashion.
 5. Jet regulator according to claim 1, wherein the jetfractionating device (2) is connected in one piece with the firsthousing part (7).
 6. Jet regulator according to claim 1, wherein themounting housing (6) is comprised of the first and second housing parts(7, 8) adjacent to one another and are connectable to one another in aseparating plane that is oriented transverse to a flow direction definedby the through flow openings (12, 15).
 7. Jet regulator according toclaim 1, wherein the housing parts (7, 8) of the mounting housing (6)can be locked together in releasable fashion.
 8. Jet regulator accordingto claim 1, wherein the second housing part (8) is arranged at the flowoutlet side of the jet regulator and is formed in a shape of a sleeve,and wherein the jet regulating device (4) comprises at least one insertpart (5) receivable within the second housing part (8).
 9. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 8, wherein the at least one insert part (5) isinsertable into the second housing part (8) from the flow inlet side, upto an insertion stop (9) or a support.
 10. Jet regulator according toclaim 1, wherein the jet regulating device (4) of the jet regulator (1)has a modular construction, and a plurality of insert parts (5 a, 5 b, 5c, 5 d, 5 e)that are combinable with one another.
 11. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one insert part (5) of thejet regulating device (4) is situated relative to the jet fractionatingdevice in such a way that individual jets produced by the jetfractionating device impinge on the intersect nodes (10) of the at leastone insert part (5).
 12. Jet regulator according to claim 1, wherein thejet regulating device (4) comprises at least two adjacent insert parts(5) having webs (11) that are disposed in the manner of a grid or netintersecting at intersect nodes (10).
 13. Jet regulator according toclaim 12, wherein the webs (11) and intersect nodes (10) of the at leasttwo adjacent insert parts (5 a, 5 b) align with one another.
 14. Jetregulator according to claim 13, wherein the at least two insert parts(5 a, 5 b)are of identical construction.
 15. Jet regulator according toclaim 13, wherein there are situated downstream, in the direction offlow, from through flow-openings (12) of one of the insert parts (5 a, 5c), the intersect nodes (10) of the adjacent insert part (5 b, 5 e). 16.Jet regulator according to claim 1, wherein at least one insert part (5)arranged at the flow inlet side and/or one insert part (5) arranged atthe flow outlet side is situated in a plane that is preferably orientedtransverse to the direction of flow.
 17. Jet regulator according toclaim 1, wherein at least one insert part (5 a, 5 b) arranged at theflow inlet side and/or at the flow outlet side is formed in the mannerof a grid, and has two intersecting sets of parallel grid webs.
 18. Jetregulator according to claim 1, wherein the jet regulating device (4)comprises an insert part (5 c) at the flow inlet side, and/or an insertpart (5 c) at the flow outlet side, the insert part (5 c) having a setof radial webs (11′) that intersect at intersect nodes with a set ofconcentric annular webs (11″) in a single plane.
 19. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the jet regulating device comprises aninsert part (5 d) at the flow inlet side and/or the insert part (5 d) atthe flow outlet side the insert part (5 d) having webs (11) thatintersect in stelliform fashion or in the manner of a net in a singleplane.
 20. Jet regulator according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneinsert part (5) is plate-shaped.
 21. Jet regulator according to claim 1,wherein there is connected downstream from the jet regulating device(4), at the flow outlet side, the flow rectifier (14) that comprisesthrough flow openings (15) whose width is less than a length thereof inthe direction of flow.
 22. Jet regulator according to claim 21, whereinthe flow rectifier (14) is situated at an exit end of the mountinghousing (6).
 23. Jet regulator according to claim 21, wherein the flowrectifier (14) is connected in one piece with the mounting housing (6),or can be placed into the mounting housing (6) as a separate insertpart.
 24. Jet regulator according to claim 21, wherein the flowrectifier (14) has through flow openings (15) that are rectangular,shaped as segments of a circle, or honeycomb-shaped.
 25. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 21, wherein the jet regulating device and/or the flowrectifier (14) include at least one metal sieve.
 26. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the second housing part (8) comprises awater exit opening at the flow outlet side and comprises, at least in anarea of the water exit opening, a soft and/or water-repellent surface.27. Jet regulator according to claim 26, wherein the second housing part(8) is manufactured, at least in the area of the water exit opening,from an elastic material.
 28. Jet regulator according to claim 26,wherein the second housing part (8) at the outflow side is made of anelastic material and/or a material having a soft or water-repellentsurface.
 29. Jet regulator according to claim 26, wherein the secondhousing part (8) at the outflow side is stiffened by longitudinal webs(22) that are distributed, generally uniformly, in the circumferentialdirection.
 30. Jet regulator according to claim 29, wherein thelongitudinal webs (22) are provided at least in the area of the exitopening.
 31. Jet regulator according to claim 1, wherein the secondhousing part (8) comprises a water exit opening at the flow outlet sideand has, in an area of the water exit opening, at least one constriction(23) or similar narrowing of its flow cross-section.
 32. Jet regulatoraccording to claim 1, wherein the peripheral shoulder extends outwardlyfrom the housing.
 33. Jet regulator (1), having a flow inlet side and aflow outlet side and comprising a mounting housing (6), divided intofirst and second housing parts (7, 8), which are releasably connectablevia a snap-fit connection with one another, a jet fractionating device(2), having through flow holes (3), located inside the mounting housing(6), the first housing part (7), having a peripheral shoulder at theflow inlet side, is connected fixedly and non-detachably with the jetfractionating device (2), a flow rectifier (14), having flow guide wallsdefining exit openings arranged in a plane, are arranged, downstreamfrom the jet fractionating device (2), at the flow outlet side.